Diversity, uniformity and urban political participation

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Abstract

Our paper aims to analyse the effects of heterogeneity/homogeneity on political
participation in three metropolitan areas in Norway. One hypothesis is that socially
and/or ethnically homogenous urban areas will have a negative impact on participation.
When social groups with different backgrounds are less likely to encounter, the
mobilising effect of conflict is weakened. Hence, participation will decline. Another
assumption points in a different direction: Diversity may lead to paralysis. Particularly in cases of multiple identities, citizens will be exposed to cross-pressure and will tend to abstain from participating. We have used multilevel modelling in order to investigate the effects of contextual factors on individual behaviour. Hence, the empirical analysis will
be based on the combination of two data sets: At the individual level (level 1) we will make use of a comprehensive citizen survey comprising a total of more than 6.000
respondents from three city regions and 73 municipalities. Among these are the three
core cities of Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger. At the aggregate level (level 2) we employ a
data set consisting of more than 2.000 variables characterizing the municipalities
included in the survey. The analysis reveals a negative relationship between
heterogeneity and participation. Hence, our data do not support the contention that
social environments consisting of multiple social groups foster vibrant political
involvement. On the contrary, our findings lend support to the cross-pressure
hypothesis, indicating that the diversity of personal experiences within a community will
tend to lessen the citizens’ involvement in political affairs.